Activities in Burnley

A great family day out, Gawthorpe Hall is a stunning Elizabethan country house situated on the banks of the River Calder. Designed by the same architect as the Houses of Parliament and Highclere Castle (‘Downton Abbey’), its rich and varied history features links to Charlotte Bronte and Burnley Football Club. It is also home to a large collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery and a fantastic ensemble of textile works. It’s a National Trust property, so members get in for free and non-members can pay a small entrance fee.

If you’d rather spend your time in Burnley exploring the great outdoors, then the beautiful Lancashire countryside is a great place to do so. We recommend making your way up Crown Point to the fantastic musical sculpture the Singing Ringing Tree. It’s a large, award-winning steel structure that bends and arches in the wind, which it harnesses to play an eerie tune. The path to it is easily manageable for those with moderate fitness and mobility, and there’s plenty of free parking just off Crown Point Road.

Another countryside escape is Thompson Park on the doorstep of our Burnley hotel. If you’re visiting Burnley with young family, we recommend coming here and taking advantage of the terrific playground, boating lake and paddling pool. If not, adults will still enjoy a peaceful walk around the lake and the Italian gardens with Edwardian features.

Have you ever sat at a table in your favourite pub, sipping your favourite pint and thought ‘just how do they do it?’ Well, a tour at Moorhouse’s Brewery is a key to your answer. The local brewery produces a number of popular beers at their site on Accrington Road, including Blonde Witch blonde ale and Scaredy Cat session IPA. You can see how they do it with one of their 45-minute guided tours, which includes four samples of their beer and a pie and pea supper. Check their site for the next tour date and to book.

Animal lovers will have a field day at Shores Hey Farm, the home of HAPPA (Horse and Pony Protection Association). The charity provides a second chance for horses in need of rescue and rehabilitation. In doing so, they educate visitors and allow up-close and personal access to the animals. There’s also a cafe to unwind with a drink and a light snack, as well as an on-site shop and plenty of parking.